Allegation of Research Misconduct Policy

MACHINERY: Jurnal Teknologi Terapan takes all allegations of research misconduct seriously. We are committed to safeguarding the integrity of the scientific record and preventing all forms of academic misconduct. In handling suspected misconduct, the journal follows the guidelines, flowcharts, and recommendations established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Research misconduct includes, but is not limited to, data fabrication, data falsification, plagiarism, image manipulation, unethical research practices, authorship disputes, and redundant or duplicate publications.

Reporting Allegations

  • Who Can Report: Anyone, including reviewers, readers, whistle-blowers, or automated systems, may report suspected misconduct. Whistle-blowers may remain anonymous, although clear contact information helps the journal seek further clarification.
  • How to Report: Allegations must be submitted in writing to the Editor-in-Chief of MACHINERY: Jurnal Teknologi Terapan.
  • Required Evidence: To initiate an evaluation, a complaint must include specific, detailed evidence, such as links to plagiarized sources, detailed descriptions of mismatched data, or highlighted image anomalies. Vague or malicious accusations without supporting evidence will not be investigated.

The Investigation Process

The Editorial Board will handle all cases systematically through the following phases.

  • Initial Assessment: The Editor-in-Chief will review the allegation to determine whether there is a prima facie case of misconduct.
  • Contacting the Authors: If the evidence is substantial, the Editor will contact the corresponding author, present the evidence objectively, and request a clear explanation.
  • Institutional Escalation: In accordance with COPE guidelines, if authors fail to respond, provide an inadequate explanation, or if the case involves complex data fabrication or falsification, the journal will refer the matter to the authors’ institutional employers, research ethics committees, or funding bodies for a formal investigation.
  • Confidentiality: To ensure fairness, all inquiries will be conducted in strict confidence. The identities of accused authors and whistle-blowers will be protected throughout the initial investigation.

Corrective Actions and Sanctions

If an investigation concludes that research misconduct has occurred, the journal will implement measures proportionate to the severity of the offense.

  • Minor Errors or Misunderstandings: A formal correction, such as an erratum or corrigendum, will be published to rectify the issue.
  • Ongoing Investigations: An Expression of Concern may be published when evidence is strong but an institutional investigation is pending or inconclusive.
  • Severe Misconduct (Plagiarism, Fabrication, or Falsification): The paper will be formally retracted in accordance with the COPE Retraction Guidelines. The retraction notice will clearly state the reasons for the retraction and identify the party responsible for the decision.
  • Future Restrictions: The journal may prohibit authors involved in misconduct from submitting new manuscripts to MACHINERY: Jurnal Teknologi Terapan  for a specified period, such as one to five years, and may inform their host institutions.